Circular Polarizing filter
I am got pretty much into photography lately. Even though I got my DSRL (Canon 450D/Kiss X2) almost a year ago, it is just now that I finally started getting taste of "the real photography".
And a few days ago, I got myself one very little addition called Circular Polarizing filter:
Basically, this is the most recommended-to-get filter for beginner photographers. Basically, it works great in the following scenarios:
- when you need to get rid of reflections (or, "look-thru") a glass or water
- and when you want to take "clearer", richer shots of the skies and greens
It does so by filtering out reflecting sun rays (more technically, it filters out specific light waves, or something like that..)
I took a few test shots with filter on and off, so you can compare how it works in reality.
Shooting thru the windscreen of my car, no filter
A few moments later, with filter attached
Thru the window of my house. Guess which one is with filter on :)
Now, how about the skies? Didn't work as good for my test shots, but well.. these were my first shots with filter!
Left: no filter; Right: filter on (a slightly bluer and richer skies)
Now, into the field!
Yeah I know I suck because I have deleted the image where I took the same fountain without filter, but believe me - you won't have chance in hell to take a shot thru the water like this one during a sunny day, with your bare-naked lens.
And in closing… more of an experiment than a really good shot, but still.. This one was taken with filter on, on a very sunny day, with sun at about 90 degrees to my right. Turned out to be a pretty interesting shot though..
There are more (and guess, better) comparison photos on Wikipedia, but still, first-hand experience is much more priceless :)
Shoot on! The price of my (mid-range priced) filter was 3600yen (which is little less than $40 USD). A very nice price for such an interesting toy, I'd say.
Oh and by the way, I have some of my more interesting photos (or rather photo experiments) on my sister-site at this link.
PS: Holy fucking shit do I hate the new wordpress' visual editor!! Can't center the goddamn fucking images…
January 10th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Weird, I came to your blog following your easyswf plugin (which Im yet to figure out) and learned something new about photography! I just got the same camera mysef- its called the Canon XSI here, and have been figuring it out. I think I will go for the filter. Thanks!
January 12th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
thanks :) just getting into this stuff myself.. once you get to shot some nice shots, this little hobby really can suck you in! Now I understand why DSLR is bigger business for major makers even though compacts are sold in order of magnitude more than DSLRs. Once you had DSRL, you really can't go back..
Let me know if you have any probs with the plugin as well!